US4648847A - Adjusting mechanism for variable pitch watercraft propellers - Google Patents

Adjusting mechanism for variable pitch watercraft propellers Download PDF

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Publication number
US4648847A
US4648847A US06/711,161 US71116185A US4648847A US 4648847 A US4648847 A US 4648847A US 71116185 A US71116185 A US 71116185A US 4648847 A US4648847 A US 4648847A
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United States
Prior art keywords
adjusting
watercraft
propeller
hub
pitch
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Expired - Fee Related
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US06/711,161
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English (en)
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Peter Mueller
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H3/00—Propeller-blade pitch changing
    • B63H3/02—Propeller-blade pitch changing actuated by control element coaxial with propeller shaft, e.g. the control element being rotary
    • B63H3/04—Propeller-blade pitch changing actuated by control element coaxial with propeller shaft, e.g. the control element being rotary the control element being reciprocatable

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an adjusting mechanism for setting the pitch of propeller blades rotatably mounted in the hub of a variable pitch watercraft propeller, the adjusting mechanism being operable to alter the position of a non-rotating adjusting member on the outflow or downstream side of the propeller hub.
  • Adjusting mechanisms for setting the pitch of a variable pitch propeller blade, or a set of such blades are known in various structural forms. On the one hand, such mechanisms serve to more efficiently utilize the power produced by an engine installed in a watercraft and, on the other hand, they also serve to facilitate maneuvering of the craft.
  • the pitch of the propeller blades can be set manually or automatically as a function of the intended use and it is also possible to set the propeller blades for moving the watercraft backwards, i.e., for running astern.
  • variable pitch propeller assembly is rotated by a shaft driven by a motor drive which is commonly housed within the watercraft, but the pitch of the propeller blades is adjusted in a different way. It is known, for example, to introduce a hydraulic fluid into the propeller hub to act on a piston system arranged in the hub so that the propeller blades are adjusted as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,931,443.
  • Both types of adjusting mechanisms suffer from disadvantages.
  • the propeller blade adjustment which is accomplished by introducing a pressure medium into the propeller hub is complicated, which means that it is only usable for larger watercraft, and it is also difficult to completely seal the pressure system.
  • the manually actuated adjusting mechanism has the disadvantage that it can only be used in small variable pitch propellers because it is simply not possible to manually apply forces sufficiently large to adjust the propellers in the case of larger propeller assemblies.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an adjusting mechanism which is simple and which simultaneously makes it possible to apply large adjusting forces so that it can be used with large adjustable propeller assemblies.
  • the invention includes an adjusting mechanism for setting the pitch of propeller blades rotatably mounted on the hub of a variable pitch watercraft propeller comprising the combination of a non-rotatable adjusting member mounted for generally linear movement on the downstream side of the hub, the adjusting member being coupled to an intermediate rotatable member coupled to the blades.
  • An adjusting linkage is connected at one end to the adjusting member, and a linear motor which is mounted in spaced relationship from the variable pitch propellers is connected to the other end of the linkage so that linear motion of the motor sets the propeller pitch.
  • the adjusting mechanism disclosed herein can be used in a watercraft in such a way that the linear motor can be positioned either inside or outside the watercraft hull.
  • FIG. 1 is a partly schematic side elevation of an adjustable pitch propeller assembly with an adjusting mechanism in accordance with the invention for setting the propeller blade pitch;
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a variable pitch propeller adjusting mechanism in accordance with the invention and employing the principles of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of a watercraft with an adjustable propeller assembly and an adjustment mechanism in accordance with the invention in conjunction with a rudder assembly;
  • FIG. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow IV.
  • Adjusting lever 8 has an upper arm 11 and a lower arm 12, the upper arm being coupled by a flexible, hinge joint 13 to the push rod 14 of a linear motor 15 which is driven by a power or energy source 26.
  • Lower arm 12 is connected by a pivotable joint 16 to a non-rotatable adjusting member 17.
  • non-rotatable it is meant that member 17 does not rotate about the axis of shaft 3 and hub 4.
  • Member 17 can be constructed in various ways. In one form, as illustrated, member 17 comprises a ring or sleeve which carries a journal bearing 18 the outer portion of which is mounted in a rotatable intermediate adjusting member 19 which is an annular sleeve surrounding member 17.
  • Adjusting rods 20 are connected to member 19 and are guided in elongated holes in hub 4 and are coupled to propeller blade 2, as by gear teeth or the like, so that longitudinal movement of rods 20 causes rotation of propellers 2 about their own axes, thereby adjusting the pitch of the propellers.
  • the movement is transferred from the non-rotatable adjusting member 17 to the rotatable intermediate adjusting member 19 in a simple and space-saving manner.
  • pivotable joint 16 is mounted on adjusting member 17, that member can be housed together with the joint 16 and without occupying additional space in a lightweight, streamlined cowling 4', schematically shown in FIG. 1, which surrounds hub 4.
  • variable pitch propeller assembly 1 which is driven by shaft 3 is arranged in a fixed manner below the hull 25 of a watercraft and a hollow supporting body 21 is attached to the hull and supports, at its lower end, the propeller assembly.
  • a rudder 22 is hingedly mounted on the rear portion of supporting body 21 by hinges 24 and the mechanical linkage 7 is installed within supporting body 21.
  • linear motor 15 is a double-acting (bidirectional) hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly the piston rod of which forms the push rod 14, the motor 15 being supported on a pivot joint 23 within supporting body 21.
  • a hydraulic unit 26, such as a pump, supplies pressure medium for the operation of the adjusting mechanism and is used for driving linear motor 15.
  • Motor 15, which could alternatively be an electrical or pneumatic unit, is mounted below the hull 25 within body 21 in the arrangement of FIG. 2, but it is also possible to construct the upper arm 11 of lever 8 in such a way that it projects through the hull and into the watercraft so that motor 15 can be positioned within hull 25.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the propeller blades 2 of a variable pitch propeller assembly 1 which have a power train of the type known as a Z-drive in which the drive shaft 3 differs from the sloping arrangement through the watercraft hull 25 which is illustrated in connection with FIG. 2.
  • drive shaft 3 is driven by engine 5 via shafts 27 and 28 which are coupled together by bevel gears 29 and 30, the shafts 3, 27 and 28 being arranged in a generally Z-shaped manner.
  • the two bevel gears 29 and 30 and shafts 3, 28 are housed in a rudder assembly 32 which is articulated to hull 25 as a pivotable part by means of hinges 31, only one of which is visible in FIG. 3.
  • the complete adjusting mechanism is housed in rudder assembly 32 and linear motor 15 with push rod 14 and the mechanical linkage 7 can be seen.
  • the reference numerals which are not specifically described at this point are the same as those referred to in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • linear motor 15 is again a double-acting hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement which is connected by hydraulic lines 33, 34 to a power or energy source 26 which is constructed as a hydraulic source unit.
  • FIG. 4 shows more clearly that linear motor 15 is positioned on an outer wall of rudder arrangement 32, the mechanical linkage comprising two adjusting levers 8 which are parallel and are interconnected by cross-bars 35 and 36.
  • the double adjusting lever 8 has the same function as a single adjusting lever.
  • Such an arrangement can be provided with linear motor 15 being positioned within the rudder assembly 32.
  • the variable pitch propeller 1 forms part of the rudder 37 itself.
  • the adjusting mechanism is part of the rudder assembly 32 and is also moved with actuating rudder 37.
  • the energy transfer lines 33, 34 must be arranged in a resilient or articulated manner.
  • the structure according to FIG. 3 also leads to a technically sound and inexpensive solution as a result of the combination of a mechanical linkage for introducing the adjusting force into the propeller hub and of a linear motor, arranged in spaced relationship with respect to the propeller assembly axis, so that the positioning of the linear motor is substantially indepenent of the arrangement and positioning of the propeller assembly.
  • hub 4 can be made very small so that the mass of a variable pitch propeller assembly in accordance with the invention is close to that of a comparable propeller with fixed blades.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Working-Up Tar And Pitch (AREA)
  • Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)
  • Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
US06/711,161 1984-03-16 1985-03-13 Adjusting mechanism for variable pitch watercraft propellers Expired - Fee Related US4648847A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1354/84A CH666869A5 (de) 1984-03-16 1984-03-16 Verstellvorrichtung fuer verstellpropeller von wasserfahrzeugen.
CH1354/84 1984-03-16

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US2165387A Continuation-In-Part 1984-03-16 1987-03-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4648847A true US4648847A (en) 1987-03-10

Family

ID=4208512

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/711,161 Expired - Fee Related US4648847A (en) 1984-03-16 1985-03-13 Adjusting mechanism for variable pitch watercraft propellers

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4648847A (de)
EP (1) EP0154954B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS60209388A (de)
CH (1) CH666869A5 (de)
DE (1) DE3580497D1 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4744727A (en) * 1983-09-22 1988-05-17 Peter Muller Controllable pitch propeller and watercraft drive
US20070286728A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-13 Chai Energy, Llc Rotatable blade apparatus with individually adjustable blades
US20080125897A1 (en) * 2002-12-31 2008-05-29 B. Braun Medical Inc. Method for transferring data to a pharmaceutical compounding system

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH670609A5 (de) * 1986-08-22 1989-06-30 Peter Mueller
DE3875500D1 (de) * 1987-03-04 1992-12-03 Peter Mueller Verstellpropeller fuer wasserfahrzeuge.
DE3938567C1 (de) * 1989-11-21 1991-04-11 Urs Wollerau Ch Morgenthaler

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2742097A (en) * 1953-12-30 1956-04-17 Mid States Mfg Corp Inc Hub mounting for an adjustable pitch propeller
US2931443A (en) * 1956-02-07 1960-04-05 Karlstad Mekaniska Ab Pitch control means for variable pitch propellers
US3095932A (en) * 1959-12-14 1963-07-02 Christopher De J Hercules Variable-pitch blade propeller

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE805984C (de) * 1948-10-02 1951-06-11 Iaweseria Ag Verstellpropeller fuer Schiffe
DE802981C (de) * 1948-10-02 1951-02-26 Weser Ag Verstellpropeller fuer Schiffe
DE805246C (de) * 1948-10-09 1951-05-10 Iaweseria Ag Verstellpropeller fuer Schiffe
DE1097309B (de) * 1956-11-07 1961-01-12 Lips Nv Verstelleinrichtung fuer die Blaetter von Schiffsschrauben

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2742097A (en) * 1953-12-30 1956-04-17 Mid States Mfg Corp Inc Hub mounting for an adjustable pitch propeller
US2931443A (en) * 1956-02-07 1960-04-05 Karlstad Mekaniska Ab Pitch control means for variable pitch propellers
US3095932A (en) * 1959-12-14 1963-07-02 Christopher De J Hercules Variable-pitch blade propeller

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4744727A (en) * 1983-09-22 1988-05-17 Peter Muller Controllable pitch propeller and watercraft drive
US20080125897A1 (en) * 2002-12-31 2008-05-29 B. Braun Medical Inc. Method for transferring data to a pharmaceutical compounding system
US20070286728A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-13 Chai Energy, Llc Rotatable blade apparatus with individually adjustable blades
US8608441B2 (en) 2006-06-12 2013-12-17 Energyield Llc Rotatable blade apparatus with individually adjustable blades
US9297264B2 (en) 2006-06-12 2016-03-29 Energyield Llc Rotatable blade apparatus with individually adjustable blades
US10190572B2 (en) 2006-06-12 2019-01-29 Energyield Llc Rotatable blade apparatus with individually adjustable blades
US11454212B2 (en) 2006-06-12 2022-09-27 Energyield Llc Rotatable blade apparatus with individually adjustable blades

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0154954A3 (en) 1987-08-19
EP0154954B1 (de) 1990-11-14
CH666869A5 (de) 1988-08-31
DE3580497D1 (de) 1990-12-20
EP0154954A2 (de) 1985-09-18
JPS60209388A (ja) 1985-10-21

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Effective date: 19950315

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362